Awakening

I sat cross-legged on the ground, with Orochimaru watching over me from behind, and began forming Hand Seals slowly.

The first seal: the Rat Seal.

My thumbs overlapped, with my left thumb on top.

I had formed this seal hundreds, even thousands of times. This time was no different. The chakra in my body flowed naturally, just as it had the first time I used the Great Fireball Technique, smooth as a rising tide and moving at my will.

Good. Steady. No problems.

Then the second seal: the Monkey Seal!

My thumbs and little fingers were parallel, and my hands crossed horizontally.

As I formed the seal, I felt the chakra begin to flow faster. It was like a trickle turning into a river, rushing along and gradually converging in one place—the prelude to unleashing a ninjutsu.

Lightning Release Ninjutsu really did require a different amount of chakra than other techniques! The quantity was enormous. It was terrifying!

I grew uneasy, my heart pounding like a little drum. The reassuring pressure at my back calmed me, and I steadied myself before continuing the Hand Seals.

Next was... the Horse, Tiger, and Snake Seals!

The moment I finished those three seals, I felt my chakra suddenly boil! It surged inside me, and blue mist slowly seeped out! My eyes widened in astonishment. I was just about to say something when Orochimaru suddenly pressed down on my shoulder.

"Keep going."

"Yes!"

I lowered my head and steadied my hands. Wherever my gaze fell, the sun was sinking slowly. The last rays of sunset fell across my fingertips, their blood-red hue making me lose myself for a moment.

How strange. For some reason, it felt familiar.

As if, long, long ago, I had also practiced ninjutsu beneath a sunset like this.

When had that been?

"Stop daydreaming. Don't stop!"

My teacher's voice cracked like thunder beside my ear. I jolted back to my senses and no longer hesitated. My hands formed the seals rapidly. In an instant, a tingling sensation spread from my fingertips. A thin blue mist enveloped my body, making my clothes flutter and filling me with surging power—!

I narrowed my eyes, almost losing myself in the moment.

Just like the first time I formed the Fire Release seals, chakra flowed freely through my body, as if it were an extension of my own limbs. It felt so exhilarating I wanted to shout!

It was unlike Fire Release's explosive heat or Wind Release's fierce pressure. Lightning Release Chakra permeated my entire body, as if every cell had awakened. They crackled and leaped, eagerly urging me onward, making my fighting spirit blaze!

So this was... Lightning Release?

"One last seal!"

Orochimaru ordered from behind me, his voice low and hoarse, with a barely noticeable hint of excitement.

"Yes, teacher."

I answered softly and was about to bring my hands together when I suddenly lost focus. My mind went blank.

"One last seal... One last seal..."

The last seal—

What was it?

Why couldn't I remember?

What was the last seal?

Suddenly, my head throbbed violently. Fragments of images flashed through my mind, like a dream, yet also like memories, hazily glowing with a dim yellow light.

"You forgot the last seal again, didn't you?"

In my daze, a voice appeared in my mind, warm as the setting sun.

"The Snake Seal marks the end of every technique, and the beginning of all jutsu."

At dusk, someone held my hands and taught me to form the seals one by one. Their voice was as gentle as a family member's, and I trusted them instinctively.

"Forming the Snake Seal is enough. Remember that?"

Remember?

Remember...?

"I remember, brother."

"Akatsuki, what are you spacing out for? Hurry and form the Snake Seal!"

Orochimaru's voice roared beside my ear. I suddenly came back to myself, my hands still frozen in the sealing position!

I had actually lost focus? At a time like this?

"Right, the Snake Seal! The Snake Seal!"

Seeing my hands finally brought me back to my senses. I was filled with regret, but no longer hesitated. My palms came together in an instant, all ten fingers joined!

"Snake Seal!"

The moment I completed the final seal, the wind stopped.

The next instant, I clearly felt something inside me break free, as if emerging from its shell! It tingled as it flowed along with my blood, carrying the breath of life. Wherever it passed, it seemed to heal and revitalize my frail body, inch by inch.

That was the instant the Lightning Release Chakra that had lain dormant in my body for six years was awakened. It was my strongest life energy, surging beyond words, its joy impossible to express.

I lowered my head. For the first time, I clearly heard my own heartbeat: thump, thump, thump, steady and rhythmic. With every beat, chakra began traveling along the right pathways. It no longer flowed freely through my body, but followed an ancient will, slowly condensing into true power. First it supported my bones, then revitalized my cells, covered my skin, and finally gathered outside my body—

"Is... this Lightning Release?"

I lowered my head, my eyes growing damp.

I didn't know why, but even though this was my first time using Lightning Release Ninjutsu, it felt incredibly familiar, as if... as if...

As if it had always belonged to me.

Just like how I had recognized Murasame at first sight.

I spent a long time feeling it before slowly opening my eyes. I plunged my hand into the soil and scooped up dry grains of sand. It was an utterly ordinary thing to do, yet it felt extraordinary.

My body felt tough and strong now.

I spread my fingers and watched the grains of sand fall one by one, finding it utterly fascinating. I seemed able to see an indigo-blue glow flowing slowly through my pathways. I clenched my fist, and my knuckles crackled. My body was nothing like its former frail self. Unending chakra filled my bones and pathways, bringing lasting strength and vitality!

"Already at the second stage?"

A flicker of surprise crossed Orochimaru's eyes. He grabbed my shoulder, and emerald-green chakra flowed into my body, as if probing for something.

"Even the group from the Land of Sea didn't reach this level on their first try..."

I didn't quite hear what he said. I was focused entirely on studying the power in my palm.

The Lightning Release Chakra there was easiest to control. A slight effort made it flow faster, until it even stung and burned, as if it were about to pierce through my flesh and appear in the air!

So this was... a forbidden technique?

Why did it feel a little like Medical Ninjutsu? The chakra flowed densely through my body, like physical therapy in my previous life, silently restoring damaged functions.

"That's enough, Akatsuki. Now try controlling it. Don't let your guard down." Orochimaru watched for a while, and once he was sure there were no problems, he withdrew his hand and ordered me to continue training.

"Yes!"

I was exhilarated. I formed the Hand Seals and tried to control it. Soon, the Lightning Release Chakra in my pathways and bones began to stir. It spread outward from within, nourishing my muscles and making my cells quiver. My body grew strong and full of energy.

I focused on the sensation and realized that most of the Lightning Release Chakra had gathered around vulnerable areas of my body, such as my abdomen and heart. It seemed to be protecting them.

Wonderful! With this layer of protection, my body could withstand blows far stronger than before!

Under my teacher's astonished gaze, I stood up. The chakra throughout my body began to flow, some gathering in my legs and clinging to my bones, while some seeped into my muscles, supporting my movements.

I staggered forward two steps and found the chakra flowing like water. Wherever I exerted force, it seemed to seep into that spot, as naturally as if it were part of my own body!

I gradually began to recognize the feeling. It was as if it had been with me since the day I was born, and forming the Hand Seals had merely been the key that opened this door.

"How amazing... This technique..."

It wasn't Taijutsu, and it didn't seem like ninjutsu, but my body and physical abilities had clearly been enhanced by Lightning Release Chakra...

So this was... Nintaijutsu!

"Heh, truly incredible..." Orochimaru took two steps back, then suddenly grabbed my shoulder and tried to wrench my arm again, as if repeating his old trick!

I had sensed it coming, but my body reacted even faster than I did. I used his force to leap backward and easily twisted free!

"You've learned to climb trees, Akatsuki." Orochimaru smiled maliciously and suddenly threw a Kunai, which grazed my cheek!

Before I could react, he attacked. I instinctively leaped left and right, actually dodging his consecutive attacks before landing steadily on the ground!

After dodging several times in a row, I was utterly astonished!

I used to do nothing but take a beating!

Orochimaru also wore a satisfied smile. Then his speed suddenly increased! This time, I couldn't react in time. He kicked me flying, caught me by the neck in midair, and drove me straight down!

I was about to crash into the hard rocks! I twisted my body violently and, propelled by the chakra, kicked Orochimaru from an impossible angle! I slashed at him with the Kunai in my hand, but only cut his clothes. Still, I forced him back and broke free, landing unsteadily!

"Heh... What astonishing progress."

Orochimaru glanced at his torn clothes. Something seemed to flicker in his eyes, and his tone held a meaning I couldn't understand.

"Akatsuki, I don't think you'll need to worry about your Taijutsu or swordsmanship for much longer."

I looked at him, puzzled.

"Because your mastery of ninjutsu is enough to make up for any weakness."

As he spoke, Orochimaru drew the Kusanagi Sword. Emerald-green Wind Release Chakra clung to its blade, sharp and cold.

"Your talent is unmatched."

His words hit the depths of my heart like a bomb. The surface stayed calm, but beneath it, a thousand waves had already risen.

I looked at the piece of my teacher's clothing in my hand. After a moment of blank surprise, I suddenly began to laugh.

As I looked straight at my teacher, I felt an overwhelming confidence. It was genuine confidence, a solid foundation, a gleam polished again and again by time. It was the sharpness and spirit a person accumulated from childhood to adolescence.

A young man didn't simply choose to make a resolve.

In my previous life, I hadn't understood why the Uchiha Clan was so arrogant and combative, why they had fought the Senju since their founding, why they had wanted to rebel even after being absorbed into Konoha, or why they had turned on each other when they had no enemies left. Their thousand-year history had been nearly consumed by war and bloodshed.

But now I understood.

If you were born with the finest bloodline, if you could casually dismiss someone else's decade of effort, if you could gain immense power through your own strength, if you knew you had the power to overturn the world—

Then why would you ever settle for a place beneath others?

I felt a desire spreading from the depths of my heart, hot and scorching, almost setting my entire body ablaze.

I didn't know what this feeling was.

But at that moment, I looked up and met Orochimaru's gaze. My fear and timidity vanished without a trace, and for the first time, I found the courage to fight him.

"Come on, teacher."

Suddenly, I wasn't afraid anymore.

"Heh... You've certainly got courage."

Orochimaru stood with his sword in hand, excitement impossible to hide in his eyes.

"Then let's see how far you can take this technique." He stepped forward and stripped off his damp robe, revealing a black, tight-fitting shirt that hugged his lean, muscular upper body. His fighting spirit rose in an instant!

"But I should warn you: any real fight here could get you killed."